Giants agree to deal with Stripling

*Photo from Bluebird Banter*

   They didn't stop with Carlos Correa, they didn't stop with Sean Manaea. The San Francisco Giants and RHP Ross Stripling have agreed to a two year, $25 million deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Giants have confirmed the signing.

   Stripling's contract is for the exact same years and money as Manaea, two years and $25 million. Also like Manaea, Stripling has an opt out following 2023. Unlike Manaea, Stripling will get a $5 million signing bonus from the Giants.

   Last season was Stripling's second full year with the Toronto Blue Jays, traded to them halfway through 2020. Stripling posted a 3.11 FIP, 3.01 ERA, and 1.02 WHIP, firing 134 1/3 innings in 24 starts and 8 relief appearances. He did not appear in the postseason for Toronto in 2022.

   Stripling said of Farhan Zaidi signing him that "I know he was in the throes of Aaron Judge and maybe some other guys, but he was always coming back and saying, ‘We’re going to offer Ross. We’re going to get in on Ross. It’s going to happen. He’s part of our plan.’ When Farhan speaks, I think he tells the truth. I believed it, and then he comes in and gets the deal done. I couldn’t be more excited to be in San Francisco."

   The signing of Stripling complicates the Giants current rotation picture. Manaea, Alex Wood, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Cobb, and Logan Webb are the 5 starters they already had. With Stripling now in the fold, one of them will have to shift to the bullpen. Stripling said he projects to start in the rotation.

   Stripling said of the rotation that "Farhan told me that he sees me as a starter and that there are as many innings available for me as I can handle. I feel like the Giants and Farhan specifically are very creative and good at using guys to their strengths and getting the most out of their guys."

   Across 7 seasons, Stripling has spent time with the Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers. Since debuting in 2016, he has a 3.78 ERA, 3.93 FIP, and 1.20 WHIP, making 104 starts and 100 relief outings, throwing 672 innings. Stripling has a 5.59 ERA across 12 relief appearances in the playoffs, throwing 9 2/3 innings.

   So far this offseason, the Giants missed out on Judge, but have picked up Manaea, Correa, and Mitch Haniger alongside Stripling. Joc Pederson also returned on the qualifying offer.